Facebooking The Syrian Revolution From Bay Ridge

By on January 30, 2013  Featured story, News
Jan 302013
 
In the midst of a bloody civil war, protesters use humor against Bashar al-Assad (Image source: FreedomHouse2 via Flickr).

In the midst of a bloody civil war, protesters in Idlib use humor against Bashar al-Assad (Image source: FreedomHouse2 via Flickr).

As a brutal civil war continues in Syria between the rebel groups of the Free Syrian Army and forces loyal to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, website Latitude News shows how one Bay Ridge hair salon owner is using social media sites such as Facebook, as well as an interactive smart phone app, to keep tabs on loved ones back in his native country.

Reporter Justin Mitchell introduces us to 25-year-old Shadi Batal, who has been running a successful hair salon on 3rd Avenue for 5 years. While Batal is in many ways living the American dream, the true indicators of his happiness are much more complex than material accomplishments in his adopted home.

As someone who was born – and still has family – in Idlib, the northwestern stronghold of the FSA in Syria, he knows all to well what it’s like to mourn relatives killed in a conflict taking place halfway across the world from the safety of Brooklyn. Continue reading »

Benefit Concert At Salty Dog Raises 10K For Families Affected By 81st Street Fire

By on July 10, 2012  News
Jul 102012
 

At a benefit concert held on Sunday for four local families affected when a June 21, fire tore through their 81st Street homes, has raised more than $10,000.

The event, which was held at the Salty Dog [7509 3rd Ave] brought out the best of Bay Ridge residents, portraying a community that comes to the aid of friends and neighbors in need, writes Melisa Stumpf in a very heartening piece for the Home Reporter. Continue reading »

Benefit For Families Displaced By 81st Street Fire At Salty Dog This Sunday, July 8

By on July 2, 2012  Events
Jul 022012
 

A benefit is being held Sunday for four neighborhood families that were displaced when a fire tore through their homes in the early morning hours of June 21.

The event – which will take place at the Salty Dog [7509 3rd Ave] this coming Sunday, July 8 – will feature performances by Frankie Marra & His Band (featuring special guest John Rafferty); Head N’ South; The Ridge; High Tides; Cassone, D’emic, Lepore w/ Bauer; Radio Daze, and Atomic Dog.

According to a Facebook page set up to help organize relief efforts, all proceeds collected from the $25 admission fees will “directly benefit the Railey, Moore, Howe and Feeney families of 81st Street.”

“In the aftermath of the fire, one thing became very clear: Bay Ridge had a reputation for picking people up when they were down,” the page states. “And this time wasn’t going to be any different – the community was rallying.”

The group formed with the intent of helping victims of the 81st Street fire – known as Helping Hands – hopes to follow up this Sunday’s event with another in August, at which time the organizers plan to focus on fundraising for the “long haul of having to rebuild.”